Pharmacists' acceptability of provision of sexually transmitted infection services: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE

Pharmacists are taking on more roles in helping to close the gap in care for sexually transmitted infection (STI) management services. The acceptability of pharmacists to perform these services is not yet well understood. The objective of this review was to map, characterize, and explicate the acceptability of pharmacist-delivered STI services.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted. Three databases (PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL) were searched up to July 2024 for articles relating to the acceptability of pharmacists to independently assess and manage issues relating to STIs. The results were then mapped to the theoretical framework of acceptability (TFA).

KEY FINDINGS: A total of 2181 publications were identified. 22 studies met inclusion criteria and assessed at least one outcome aligning within the constructs of the TFA. Services relating to pre-exposure prophylaxis prescribing, point-of-care testing, chlamydia (and gonorrhea) testing and treatment, and human papillomavirus vaccine prescribing were identified. The overall acceptability of pharmacist-delivered STI services was high across the constructs of the TFA.

CONCLUSIONS

This review outlines that the acceptability of pharmacists to provide STI management is high and pharmacists are willing to take on accountability for these services. Pharmacists believe that they have a moral obligation to improve the health and wellbeing of their patients, while, decreasing the burden on the broader health care system.